The welfare rights movement was an interracial protest movement of poor women on AFDC who demanded reform of welfare policy, greater respect and dignity, and financial support to properly raise and care for their children. In short, they pushed for a right to welfare. Lasting from the early 1960s...

A History with Documents, 1935–1996

Welfare has been central to a number of significant political debates in modern America:
What role should the government play in alleviating poverty?
What does a government owe its citizens, and who is entitled to help?
How have race and gender shaped economic opportunities and outcomes?
How...